U.S. deploys EAGLS counter-drone system in Middle East

United States Central Command confirmed that American forces are operating the Electronic Advanced Ground Launcher System (EAGLS), a mobile counter-drone weapon designed to protect U.S. troops, following recent testing and operational deployment in the Middle East.

In a statement published on January 19, 2026, CENTCOM stated that the system “counters drone threats with precision” and is built around a 70mm rocket launcher that utilizes laser-guided munitions, such as the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS). The command described EAGLS as an adaptable and cost-effective counter-unmanned aircraft system intended to defend forward-deployed units against aerial threats.

The confirmation follows earlier testing of the system during the Sky Shield air and missile defense exercise held in Kuwait in early December. The multinational exercise focused on integrated air and missile defense and included live trials of systems designed to counter unmanned aerial vehicles, a threat that has increasingly targeted U.S. bases and convoys across the region.

EAGLS is a relatively new system developed by MSI Defense Solutions and has been fast-tracked into service under urgent operational requirements. The platform combines a quad-rail LAND-LGR4 launcher with laser-guided APKWS II rockets, allowing forces to engage drones at lower cost than traditional surface-to-air missiles while maintaining precision against small and slow-moving targets.

As previously reported on April 17, 2024, the U.S. Navy urgently ordered the EAGLS Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems to protect American forces in the Middle East. The $24 million contract awarded to MSI Defense Solutions reflected the immediate need to counter expanding drone threats in the region. The EAGLS system is conceptually similar to the VAMPIRE system supplied to Ukraine and integrates a remotely operated weapon station, an electro-optical and infrared sensor turret, and a compact AESA radar produced by Leonardo DRS.

The system’s sensor suite includes the DRS RPS-40 radar from Leonardo, which provides target detection at ranges of up to 10 kilometers and enables rapid engagement of low-flying aerial threats. The combination of radar, electro-optical tracking, and laser guidance allows EAGLS to operate independently or as part of a layered air defense network.

According to U.S. Navy procurement data, the initial contract covered the delivery of five EAGLS systems, along with associated support and integration packages. The rapid procurement process underscored concerns within the U.S. military about the vulnerability of forward bases and logistics nodes to low-cost drones used by hostile groups.

The system is vehicle-mounted and designed for expeditionary operations, allowing it to move with maneuver units or be positioned to defend fixed locations such as airfields, command posts, and supply hubs. By relying on laser-guided rockets instead of radar-guided interceptors, EAGLS reduces the cost per engagement and preserves high-end missiles for more complex threats.

CENTCOM did not disclose the specific locations where EAGLS is currently deployed, but the announcement confirms the system has moved beyond testing and into operational use under real-world conditions.